Chapter Five: Zilu Receives the Ox

Before long, the members of the martial arts team arrived one after another. This group was inseparable from their phones, and the rescue by a martial artist had become a sensation throughout the school. Naturally, they all knew about it.

“You really pulled off something big without making a sound!”

“That girl had quite the figure, bet you enjoyed grabbing and pressing her…”

“Well, look who’s here—the hero who saved the day!”

Though still young, everyone in the martial arts team was sharp. The coach disliked Gao Wu, so they kept their distance from him. Now, their words were laced with teasing and sarcasm.

Gao Wu understood their thoughts and responded with a proud grin, “Only in moments of crisis do heroes reveal their true colors! At least I didn’t embarrass the team, nor let my brothers down!”

He loved doing good deeds but wasn’t particularly tactful—rather, he enjoyed showing off. Most importantly, his abilities were formidable. Though the others envied and resented him, they wouldn’t say anything truly nasty to his face.

Huang Long, the coach’s nephew, walked over and patted Gao Wu’s shoulder, praising him with an air of maturity, “Well done.” Huang Long was half a head taller than Gao Wu, with a more imposing build. In the realm of martial artists, height and strength were great advantages, making Huang Long the team’s mainstay.

“Thank you,” Gao Wu replied with a smile. Huang Long was more calculating than the others, but at least he was polite on the surface. He always assumed the role of the big brother, liked to take charge of everything, and his air of authority was both irritating and amusing.

Gao Wu tended to focus on people’s strengths; as long as they didn’t go too far, he had no complaints.

At two thirty in the afternoon, Coach Huang Hai accompanied Principal Han Qingfeng and a group of others to the gym.

“I know you—a good child who insists on doing the right thing! Truly a passionate youth, courageous and capable, worthy of being an outstanding student of our school…” Han Qingfeng, wearing round-framed glasses and a slightly plump figure, had a polite and worldly smile always on his pale, round face. He publicly praised Gao Wu, calling him a model youth, while two of his attendants recorded the scene with a camera and video recorder.

Gao Wu displayed his neat white teeth in a radiant, silly smile, presenting the image of an honest, good-natured boy. Though fond of joking, he knew when to be serious; this was not the time for wit.

After the principal finished, a handsome middle-aged man stepped forward, dressed in a gray-blue administrative jacket and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He exuded refined elegance and looked more like a principal than Han Qingfeng himself.

The man extended his hand to Gao Wu. “I am Song Yunhe. Thank you for saving my daughter. Thank you.”

Without waiting for Gao Wu’s modesty, Song Yunhe took a thick red envelope from an aide and handed it to Gao Wu. “A small token of appreciation—please don’t refuse.”

“If you say so, Uncle, then I’ll gladly accept.” Gao Wu took the envelope with ease—he needed the money.

The man’s attire and bearing were impeccable, his manner confident and composed. He was either an official or a wealthy man; a few tens of thousands meant nothing to him.

Song Yunhe was a little surprised; he had expected Gao Wu to politely decline a few times. He quickly smiled, “Men of Dongjiang should be straightforward and open.”

Gao Wu replied earnestly, “Zilu received a cow, and was praised by Confucius. My teacher used this example to teach us that good deeds rewarded encourage more acts of kindness. I deeply agree…”

“Excellent—virtue and talent in harmony!” Song Yunhe recognized the story of Zilu receiving a cow.

Confucius had a disciple named Zilu, who saved a drowning man. In gratitude, the man gave Zilu a cow, and Zilu accepted it gladly. Confucius later praised Zilu, believing that good deeds rewarded set a positive example, inspiring more people to do good.

The story of Zilu receiving a cow fit the occasion perfectly; Song Yunhe admired the boy’s quick wit. This way, Gao Wu could accept the reward openly while also complimenting the school’s teachers.

Unfortunately, Gao Wu’s background was lacking. At his age, he was still only a mid-level martial artist, with little future ahead. Song Yunhe, a man of status, looked down on Gao Wu inwardly, but his expression betrayed nothing.

He then praised Principal Jiang, “Principal Jiang, it is thanks to your school’s moral education and rigorous teaching that you produce such outstanding students…”

“Mr. Song flatters us,” Principal Jiang replied, his face beaming. Song Yunhe was a prominent figure in Dongjiang, and his praise was a great honor.

Gao Wu grinned nearby. Song Yunhe smiled warmly and amicably, but Gao Wu could sense his underlying pride.

He mused that this family was quite interesting: the daughter was cold and indifferent, yet sincere; the father was generous and poised, his manner pleasant, but fundamentally arrogant.

None of this bothered Gao Wu. He had saved the girl because he wanted to, because he held himself to high moral standards—it had nothing to do with Song Yunhe, or even with the girl he’d saved.

Principal Jiang and Song Yunhe shook hands tightly, with Gao Wu standing behind them—a scene faithfully captured by camera and camcorder. Huang Long and the martial arts team members flanked them, forming the backdrop. The faces of these youths were filled with barely restrained jealousy. Coach Huang Hai stood among the crowd, wearing a polite smile, but his gaze was somewhat gloomy.

Once Principal Jiang and Song Yunhe left, the martial arts team boys eagerly surrounded Gao Wu, their eyes fixed on the thick envelope in his hand.

“That’s got to be twenty thousand, right?”

“At least forty thousand…”

The skinny, sharp-faced boy—nicknamed Monkey, who practiced White Ape Fist—reached for the envelope. Monkey’s speed was even faster than a real ape.

But Gao Wu was ready; he brushed away Monkey’s greedy hand. “Monkey, that’s overstepping.”

Monkey failed and gave a sheepish grin. “We’re brothers—what’s the harm in seeing it?”

Others chimed in, “Old Gao made a big splash today and got a hefty reward. Tonight, you’re treating us!”

“Yeah, treat us, treat us!”

“Old Gao, let us share in your good fortune…”

The rest grew lively at the prospect—only fools would pass up a free meal.

Gao Wu didn’t mind treating, but these boys were always making things difficult for him. If he treated them now, it wouldn’t be kindness—it would be stupidity.

He paused and then said, “My family’s not well off, so I can’t afford to waste money.”

The group fell silent, unable to profit and feeling somewhat resentful. Still, Gao Wu wasn’t easy to provoke, and no one dared confront him.

“What are you waiting for? Get to training!” Coach Huang Hai’s black, pitted face was stern as he barked. The boys scattered like birds.

“Coach,” Gao Wu bowed his head, adopting an obedient posture, ready to receive instruction.

“Your rescue today was commendable—the principal is pleased.” Though Huang Hai praised Gao Wu, his tone was icy, going through the motions.

Gao Wu was used to this; Huang Hai was cold by nature, always treating those beneath him with this demeanor—even his nephew Huang Long, whom he scolded daily and sometimes punished physically.

“You’ve gained some fame. The school hopes you’ll make more appearances.”

Huang Hai’s tone grew harsher, “But you’re still lacking in many ways. If you get on stage now, you’ll only embarrass yourself—and us. That won’t do…”

He softened his tone and continued, “I have several vials of Blood Dragon Serum—a targeted muscle and bone enhancer. It’ll quickly strengthen your bones and muscles. These serums require approval and are expensive, but I have a channel to get them for you at three thousand per vial. Ten vials make one course, and three courses could boost your strength by sixty or seventy percent, maybe even double it.”

Gao Wu knew about Blood Dragon Serum; nearly every martial arts team member used it. Ordinary people without martial talent could become mid-level martial artists with it.

However, Blood Dragon Serum had severe side effects—tissue overgrowth, enlarged heart, damaged liver and kidneys. Using it during growth could cause physical deformity.

In short: effective, but dangerous.

Another issue: standard Blood Dragon Serum cost about five thousand per vial through official channels. Huang Hai offered three thousand; he wouldn’t lose money, especially since he disliked Gao Wu. The only explanation was that he was selling generic serum—possibly stronger, with even worse side effects, but cheap.

Gao Wu replied seriously, “Coach, you know my situation—I can’t afford such expensive serum.”

“You have enough in your red envelope to buy one course.” Huang Hai said coolly, “If you want to get on stage, you must make sacrifices. Otherwise, if you lose, you’ll disgrace not only yourself, but the school as well.”

“I need to discuss it with my family—I can’t decide this alone,” Gao Wu said.

Huang Hai handed him a small black pouch. “Here’s one vial—try it first, free of charge.”

“Ah, thank you, Coach.” Gao Wu was surprised by Huang Hai’s generosity.

But he knew better than to refuse—a refusal would only anger Huang Hai.

Gao Wu accepted it with both hands, his face earnest as he thanked Huang Hai.

“The match is the day after tomorrow. Use one vial beforehand, so I can put you on the roster.” Huang Hai’s dark face showed no expression as he waved Gao Wu away.

After training, Gao Wu left with the red envelope and the serum.

Huang Long watched him leave the gym, unwilling, and quietly asked Huang Hai, “Third Uncle, isn’t giving him free Blood Dragon Serum a favor?”

“It’s only a thousand per vial—not much. These generic serums have extremely harsh side effects,” Huang Hai said coldly, expressionless. “No medical exams for tournament matches, but strict tests for martial arts student admissions. If he takes three courses, even if his body doesn’t fail, he’ll never pass the university health check.

“Spend thirty thousand, improve our school’s league ranking, and eliminate a competitor for you. Very cost-effective…”

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